Art is all around this week, with major exhibitions in Craven and Pamlico counties.

Friday night is the third New Bern ArtWalk of the season, with 18 participating galleries and supporting businesses. That is followed on Saturday by the 10-year celebration of Art on the Neuse in Oriental.

ArtWalk, held on alternate months, begins at 5 p.m.

The Craven County Arts Council and Gallery’s Bank of the Arts on Middle street is under renovation and the council has moved its ticket offices to 308 George St. For ArtWalk, its new exhibit — A Visual Feast — will be on display at the Duffy Gallery in the North Carolina History Center on South Front Street.

At the Palace Museum Store, also in the History Center, there will be “Honey Hill Bees,” a local honey tasting and demonstration.

Also on South Front Street, The Next Chapter Bookstore will host Southern folk artist Tessie Ann Adams.

The Greater Good Gallery on Craven Street again will host an outdoor Bohemian Night, with a variety of local artists.

Carolina Creations on Pollock Street will feature demonstrations by needle-felter Melissa Gray. Next door at New Bern ArtWorks and Company, the creative mind of Jill Eberle will present an exhibit of “Imaginings.”

On Middle Street, at MJs Raw Bar & Grill, the artwork of Meg and Galen Wethington will be featured.

For those who want a sitting show, there is New Bern Civic Theatre’s production of “9 to 5, The Musical” at 7:30 p.m.

Also on Middle Street, Caroline McGath Newborn Photography is open, usually with a chance for visitors to view a photography session.

A major art project joins ArtWalk, with the Cogs and Wheels opening of “Gatherings,” an environmental art installation.

The cover for this month’s ArtWalk poster card is “Mitchell’s Hardware,” by James Herring.

Here is a sampling of other activities this week:

On Tuesday, the New Bern-Craven County Public Library presents “Reel Readers.” Read the book, watch the movie “Moneyball,” and join the discussion. It is rated PG-13, starring Brad Pitt. It tells the story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane’s successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players. Coffee and doughnuts will be served for the 10 a.m. show.

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Preschoolers and parents are invited to Tryon Palace on Wednesday for the Tales for Tots program “Let’s Get Growing.” It is a hands-on educational experience from 10 to 11 a.m. and is included with the cost of general admission.

Designed for children ages 3-5, it teaches lessons about flowers, fruits and vegetables. In addition to visiting the Governor’s Palace Kitchen Garden, students will be invited to the North Carolina History Center’s Education Classroom to do a planting activity they can take home.

Page 2 of 3 - Tickets are included with general admission or can be purchased separately at a cost of $6 per child with one accompanying adult. Additional adults are $6 each.

Call 639-3500 for reservations.

On the web: tryonpalace.org

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At the Pamlico County Library in Bayboro, the Junior Anime Club meets Thursday at 3 p.m.

On Friday at 10 a.m., the library hosts Pre-school Storytime, with stories, puppets, crafts and other interactive activities.

Also on Friday, at 3 p.m. the Teen Library Council presents a movie in Hollowell Auditorium. On Saturday at 11 a.m., it is Family Movie time.

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New Bern Civic Theatre opens eight performances of the musical comedy “9 to 5” on Friday, under the direction of Derek Jordan.

Tickets are $17 in advance, $19 at door, $10 for students and active duty military with ID.

Call the box office at 633-0567 or by ordering online at newberncivictheatre.org.

The local show is sponsored by Audiology of New Bern and is rated PG, with pop and rock.

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The downstairs of Rivertowne Ballroom on Pollock Street becomes a jazz room Friday at 7 p.m.

The room will be called “When Fools Rush In,” a collective effort of Bern Bear Gifts owner John Sturman and Joyce Price, owner of Rivertowne Ballroom.

Members of the acoustic quartet are led by Joe Distefano on piano and Bob Tyson on saxophone.

Tickets are on sale at 305 and 301 Pollock Street, as well as at the Craven Arts Council, 308 George St.

Single tickets are $15, or $25 per couple. Students are admitted for $10.

Sturman said snacks and soft drinks are available, and patrons can bring their own beer and wine.

For information, call the ballroom at 637-2003 or Bern Bear Gifts at 637-2300 after 1 p.m. Also, contact Craven Arts Council at 638-2577. The evening contact number is 633-2733.

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Art on the Neuse is Saturday at the Oriental Marina Inn Courtyard from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 40 artists and craftsmen, including painters, potters, jewelry makers, sculptors, photographers and folk artisans, will participate.

It is sponsored by the Pamlico County Arts Council and features live music all day by Harborsounds, Ed Terry, Chris Daniels and the Acoustic Four Play and Norm Czuchra.

A massive interactive pleine air painting is planned and an art glass firing demonstration will be provided by the Glasshoppers.

The event will also feature the introduction of The Amazing Oriental Recyclodon Dragon, an interactive sculpture by Muffin and Roger Schmidt. Art on the Neuse is free.

Call Per Erichsen at 252-571-1458.

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The First Capital Chapter of the Antique Auto Club of America presents a major car show — its 23rd annual event — in downtown New Bern Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Page 3 of 3 - Four city blocks, including Pollock Street, along with Middle Street from Broad to South Front, will become a large pedestrian mall for the display of more than 100 antique and modified automobiles.

Four separate show fields will display an array of cars from the middle years of the 20th century. The show fields will encompass prewar, 1942, sport cars, contemporary classics and modified cars, all predating 1989.

All owners of cars 25 years and older are invited to join the event. Just bring your car downtown on the morning of the show between 9-11 a.m., register and display your car. Registration fee is $20.

The marquee car for this show is the first Chevrolet automobile to reach the public: a Type C Six Sedan, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

On static display will be two cars being subjected to restoration: a 1931 Pontiac Deluxe Sedan in mid-restoration and a 1926 Rolls Royce open touring car in pre-restoration condition. The owners of all cars will be on hand to provide the history of their cars and to answer any questions.

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The New Bern Farmers Market celebrating Mother’s Day Saturday with cut flowers and flowering annuals and perennials. The many vendors also have unique, handmade gifts for mom such as jewelry, candles, soaps, purses, hats, scarves and more. Visitors also can continue to enjoy local strawberries.

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Ratio Theater Company and its title sponsor, Home Instead Senior Care, present its first fundraiser, “Dancing with the New Bern Stars” on Saturday at the Sudan Shrine Center in New Bern.

The 7 to 10 p.m. event includes dinner and dancing. The meal will be catered by The Flame Restaurant, with live dance music provided by the Starlight Dance Orchestra.

Each dancer is stumping for votes among family, friends and strangers.

All proceeds will support Ratio’s efforts to provide professional theatre performances and arts education for children and adults.

The public can vote for performers on the web: ratiotheatre.org

Tickets for the dinner dance and competition are $55, or a table sponsorship for eight is $450. Tickets are available at the Ratio website or at the box office, 901 Pollock St., New Bern.

The Presenting Sponsor is Elite Feet Shoe Store.

Ratio Theatre Company is a nonprofit professional theater company with its main stage shows at the Cullman Performance Hall as part of the Tryon Palace Performing Arts series. For more information, call 626-0358.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or Charlie.hall@newberrnsj.com